Over £1 million raised for Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance by textile banks

Having been in partnership with DSAA since August 2006, BIU Group has placed textile recycling banks across the two counties and through the generosity of the people of Dorset and Somerset a fabulous £1 million has now been raised for the charity.

With the life-saving service receiving no direct funding from the government or the National Lottery and needing to raise over £2.5 million a year, the charity is keen to continue raising awareness of the recycling banks and encourage more people to donate their unwanted clothes, shoes, bags, bedding and household textiles.

Bill Sivewright, DSAA chief executive officer said, “Fundraising for charities takes many forms, but we believe that recycling adds another dimension of benefit for those people we support. The funds raised are certainly significant and a great source of regular income for the charity. However, the fact that we are also helping the planet in a wider context through effective recycling is a tremendous plus point. Our relationship with BIU has strengthened over the years and we are absolutely delighted to be celebrating this incredible milestone with them.”

Contract manager at BIU Group, Carrie Smith, added, “We are thrilled that over £1 million has been raised for DSAA, a service that has saved so many lives across Dorset and Somerset. A big thank you to those who have donated and also to those generous supporters who have agreed to have one of our textile banks on their premises over the past 12 years.”

There are currently over 100 banks located at various points across the two counties including supermarkets, pubs, community centres and churches. All the items collected are baled and sold to organisations around the world who sort and sell the clothes or recycle them for other uses such as mattress filling or punch bag pellets.